DNI Memo: Iran's Lethal Plots Against Americans Have Reached Advanced Stages

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent a formal warning to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, stating that Iranian plans to kill American citizens and officials have moved into advanced stages. The intelligence memorandum, dated October 23, details a sharp increase in Tehran's efforts to target US personnel across the Middle East and specific other countries. A copy of the document was also provided to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

The assessment comes from multiple intelligence channels gathered by US agencies. Clayton wrote that the lethal plotting efforts have reached a critical level in both the Middle East and certain other nations. He noted that the information is relevant to a wider group of people than those currently cleared to see it, though the underlying details had already been shared with senior members of Rubio's team who hold appropriate clearances. Clayton offered an additional briefing and committed to working on downgrading the classification of the data so Rubio could share it more broadly with State Department staff at risk.

The memo itself was marked unclassified and did not name specific targets, attack methods, or the exact countries outside the Middle East where plots are developing. The warning aligns with recent moves by the State Department to reduce its diplomatic footprint in the region. Citing fears of Iranian retaliation and the possibility of renewed US military operations against Tehran, Washington ordered nonessential government employees and family members to leave Saudi Arabia earlier this week. This withdrawal followed an escalation in attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Additional staff reductions were ordered at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan. Reports from CNN on Friday indicated that the United States is speeding up the departure of diplomats and their families from several regional posts. Some of these personnel had only recently returned to their posts after previous evacuations during the Iran war. The network also reported that Israel has urged Washington to launch new strikes on Iran sooner, although those efforts have not yet succeeded.

President Donald Trump addressed the situation on Friday, keeping the door open for further military action. He stated that the United States could carry out another operation similar to Operation Epic Fury if Tehran does not reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they'll agree," Trump said. The developments occur as Washington weighs additional military options while continuing diplomatic efforts to secure a deal with Iran.

The situation underscores the growing concern for the safety of American diplomatic personnel. The intelligence community's assessment provides the backdrop for the current diplomatic withdrawals and the ongoing debate over the next steps in the US-Iran confrontation.